Collaboration between Malta and Germany had increased in and some 50 German manufacturing companies currently operated here, employing some 2,240 employees.

This collaboration increased in the past five years, when 14 German companies set up new operations in Malta, Werner Hoyer, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany said this afternoon.

Speaking during a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Tonio Borg following bilateral talks, the German minister said that 17 German companies already located in Malta, had, through incentives offered by Malta Enterprise, expanded their operations on the island.

“It is significant for Malta that corporate brand names such as Playmobil, Lufthansa Technik and Deutsche Bank not only opted to invest in Malta, but also decided to expand their operations, despite the current international crisis.”

Dr Hoyer, whose visit succeeds that by German Foreign Affairs Minister Guido Vesterwelle in eight weeks, highlighted the fact that from among EU states, only Germany and Malta achieved growth and successful economic results over the past months.

“A small country like Malta should be proud of such a result, given its limitations due to the size,” he said.

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said that Germany has supported Malta on a number of political and economic matters over the years.

He thanked Germany for its support in dealing with the influx of refugees over the past years.

Germany, he said, recognised the disproportionate burden being carried by Malta and around 130 refugees have left the country in search of a future in Germany.

During his two-day visit to Malta, Dr Werner Hoyer also met the pro-rRector of the University of Malta and addressed MEDAC students, among others.